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Jul 18, 2013

Signe Groos' olive trees orchard, designed as a natural garden

One of the garden visits I documented in past months and i enjoyed very much in doing so, was the visit to a "finca" that has an unusual but impressive olive trees orchard. The owner of the estate, Signe Groos, a former Balearic Branch Head of the Mediterranean Garden Society, does not consider her estate as forest or a plantation, but more a natural environment with a designed olive trees garden, which is how she defines her designed landscape.

The estate is located in the east of the island and has different a varied garden areas, with many tones of green

Some of them are surrounding the buildings and the leisure areas, with well adapted to local climate plants

The start of the garden dates back to 1998, and consists of acres of natural woodland with Olea europaea and also Quercus ilex. For years the owner has been clearing the area and pruning trees to let the natural design of the landscape appears.

The walk from the houses opens to one of the most striking but attractive area is the olive trees orchard. Some of them have been heavily trimmed offering curious shapes.

The overall sensation is of close contact with the essence of the place, a natural environment that has been well respected and maintained.

There are many personal touches and details along the different sections.

It was a very relaxing and visit, and instructive too, for we could appreciate the passionate work of a designer who has learned how to work in collaboration with nature.